Review: Kailin Gow – Bitter Frost

 Bitter Frost
Kailin Gow

Welcome to Reading Addiction Blog Tour’s stop for ‘Bitter Frost’.

Breena has dreamed of Fayland her whole life, and now her dreams are becoming reality. Whisked away after an encounter with a pixie, she is hot currency in a world that is unlike anything she has ever known.

The official blurb:

All her life, Breena had always dreamed about fairies as though she lived among them…beautiful fairies living among mortals and living in Feyland. In her dreams, he was always there the breathtakingly handsome but dangerous Winter Prince, Kian, who is her intended. When Breena turns sixteen, she begins seeing fairies and other creatures mortals don’t see. Her best friend Logan, suddenly acts very protective. Then she sees Kian, who seems intent on finding her and carrying her off to Feyland. That’s fine and all, but for the fact that humans rarely survive a trip to Feyland, a kiss from a fairy generally means death to the human unless that human has fairy blood in them or is very strong, and although Kian seemed to be her intended, he seems to hate her and wants her dead.
 
This edgy tale about beautiful and dangerous fairies, based on Dutch lore, will leave you breathless…

My review:

The world building is lovely in this novel. I could feel the hunting lodge and Breena’s bedroom. I loved her artwork, and the artwork that made her and the prince similar. The dialogue isn’t bad either, although in some parts it feels stilted. I liked Breena’s trick with the bread too!

8069816Apparently this is based on Dutch lore / some type of fairytale, which I’m not familiar with. I would be interested to see whatever it is based on, and see whether I can predict what is going on after that.

I liked the idea of the differences between the two worlds. Logan’s story is just a little too coincidental for my liking – oh no! Breena will have to choose between which one she loves more! Or will she…

For me the drama was a bit transparent, as was the ‘love story’. How could Breena be so stupid? And I really couldn’t go in for her nickname of Treena either. She didn’t seem to stand up for herself in any way until she went into another world – a weak heroine.

In that way, these two novels paired together make me think of the stopped Twilight saga from Edward’s point of view. I guess that makes for a good comparison for this novel – if you liked Twilight, and were looking for something else fantasy, this novel could be for you. There are plenty of them in the series for you to look forward to if you like the first one.
I can’t believe that this novel has more in the series! I almost want to recommend it only for younger teens, but the chaste kisses which were ok for them develop into something more crude when Logan’s point of view is brought in. An uncritical audience for sure for this one.
My overall feeling for these two ‘novels’ – Bitter Frost and Wolf Fey – was of being cheated. It reminded me a bit of Thief of Hearts, where the only purpose of the story was to draw you in, and then leave you on a meaningless cliffhanger. I didn’t feel any sort of conclusion that I should have felt at the end of any novel. The inclusion of Logan’s part just made me feel even worse!
I’m also due to read Saving You, Saving Me. From the author’s blurb, I’m really hoping for an awesome story with excellent execution. Perhaps some of her other young adult novels will be what I will enjoy.

Find it on:
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About the Author

Kailin Gow has appeared on top national syndicated talk shows such as ABC Radio, Barbara Dooley show, Chat with Women on KKNW Seattle, Broadminded on Sirius Radio XM, and more as a leading authority on YA and women’s issues including self-esteem, body image, dating and sexual relationships, abuse, and bullying. Kailin has been a published author for over 10 years with over 100 titles published under her name and under pen names.
She is the founder of the community social site, The Saving You Saving Me P
roject,http://www.savingyousavingme.com which helps teens, young adults, and women deal with social issues like sexual abuse, self-esteem, body image, bullying, cutting, relationships, and more in a positive community environment. The Saving You Saving Me Project is an extention of her YA-mature fiction Saving You Saving Me.
Kailin Gow began writing books for tween girls to help them with self-confidence and self-esteem. Her book, Gifted Girls Activities Guide to 365 Days of the Week, became a reference book used in girls organizations across the U.S. As her tween fans grew to become teens and young adults, Kailin began writing engaging and entertaining young adult book series for them. The results are book series like the Frost Series, PULSE Series, Wicked Woods Series, Stoker Sisters, Phantom Diaries, The Fire Wars, FADE, DESIRE, and more.
All her books are inspired by personal experiences. Saving You Saving Me was inspired by her experience as a peer counselor for young women during college and from her psychology major college roommate’s experience being in a relationship similar to the one portrayed by Sam and Collins in the book. Loving Summer was inspired by Kailin’s experience growing up with a family consisting of a mother, two sons, and a daughter who went through a similar experience of tragedy in the book. Aunt Sookie is based on herself and some actor friends she knows. The Frost Series, Circus of Curiosities Series, and FADE Series came about through vivid dreams. Never Say Never was inspired by Kailin’s experience as a radio host and working with and interviewing bands, as well as having college friends who were in bands. Kailin also played the drums and keyboard for a band she once started. A classically-trained musician, she was once led her school orchestra, playing first chair violin. Her experience in the music world and her love of Phantom of the Opera, inspired the Phantom Diaries. PULSE was inspired when Kailin was in the hospital suffering from heavy blood loss post surgery and needed several bags of blood to survive (like a vampire). Beautiful Beings was inspired by her college encounter with a young demon exorcist. A pastor once told her she had the gift of sight and that she was destined to become a prolific author, many times over.
She began taking her writing seriously when her daughter was diagnosed as being on the spectrum and her mother was fighting three types of cancer. Four years later, her daughter was no longer on the spectrum, and her mother became cancer free. Kailin believes in hope and miracles, after having been through several struggles and experiences herself. This is why she writes.
When not busy inhaling chocolate and drinking coffee by the gallon, Kailin makes time for writing fantasy books, blogging as an expert blogger for Fast Company, volunteering as an Emergency Responder and volunteering for battered women’s shelters. For fun, she plays the electric violin, and puts together a music playlist for her radio and web shows.
Her Frost Series consisting of the Bitter Frost Series, The Wolf Fey Series, and the Fairy Rose Chronicles along with her other book series are being developed into worldwide MMORPG Games by SEE GLOBAL ENTERTAINMENT, which is the world’s leading game developer known for developing the top blockbuster films into games.

You can find her at:

Facebook
Website
To sign up for news on new releases, contests, events, and more, join theEDGEbooks.com.
Twitter – @kailingow

Not sure if you like my opinion? Good thing this is a tour! You can look at some other reviews, guest posts and promos at each of these tour stops:

November 1- Reading Addiction Blog Tours – Meet and Greet
November 2 – Forget the Housework I’m Reading – Review
November 3 – Jennifer’s Asylum – Review
November 4 – In This World of Books – Review
November 7 – Becky’s Barmy Book Blog – PROMO
November 8 – Cindy’s Love of Books – Review
November 9 – Novel Nexus Reviews – PROMO
November 11 – My Daily Obsession – Review
November 13 – Sweet Southern Home – PROMO
November 14 –Book Spark – Review
November 15 – Escapism – Review
November 17 – A Dream Within a Dream – Review
November 18 – FireStar Books – Review
November 19 –Bookish Things and More – PROMO
November 20 – What’s On the Bookshelf – Reivew
November 22 – Lauries Thoughts and Interviews – PROMO
November 24 – Ashley’s Bookshelf – Review
November 25 – Lovely Reads – Review
November 26 –A chick Who Reads – Review
November 27 – The Cozy Dragon – Review
November 28 –Winged Reviews – PROMO
November 29 – The Book Hoard – PROMO
November 30 –Bookishly Devoted- Review
December 1 – Compelled by Words – PROMO
December 2 – Book Nerd – Review
December 3 – Inside BJ’s Head – Review
December 4 – Mom With a Kindle – Review
December 5 – Broad Minded Books – Review
December 6 – Book Briefs – Review
December 7 – My Reading Addiction – Review
December 8 – Head Stuck in a Book – Review
December 8 – Life and Lies of an Inanimate Object – Review
December 9 – Crazy Four Books – Review
December 10 – My Cozie Corner – Review
December 11 – Steph in Wonderland – Review
December 12 – What’s Beyond Forks – Review
December 13 – Keeping Up With the Rheinlanders – Review
December 13 – Little Bookstar – Review
December 14 – Michelle’s Paranormal Vault of Books – Review
December 15 – Paulettes Papers – PROMO
December 16 – In This World of Books – Review
December 17 – Known to Read – Review
December 17 – A Soul Unsung – PROMO
December 17 – The Solitary Bookworm – Review
December 18 – Pink Fluffy Hearts – Review
December 19 – Simple Books – Review
December 20-  Reader Girls – Review

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